Feb. 17, 2007

Day One Results (PDF)

WASHINGTON - The men's 4 x 800 relay team won its third straight title, shattering the school and league records Saturday afternoon to highlight the American University track teams' first day of competition at the Patriot League Championships.

The AU men's 4x800 relay came to Army two weeks after winning the Millrose Games title and looking for its third straight PL Indoor Championship. Senior Alex Caudana led off with a 1:53 split, handing off with a slight lead over Navy to Brian McCabe. The AU junior, who has been a consistent top performer on Eagle relays the last three years, maintained the team's lead with a 1:54 leg. Fellow junior Steve Hallinan blew open the race on the third leg, splitting a blazing 1:50 to give American a 30 meter lead over the field. Senior captain Dustin Emrani anchored the team home with a 1:52 leg, letting up on the final lap. The team's time of 7:31.91 set a new school and league record as well.

"Steve really opened up the race," head coach Matt Centrowitz said. "By the time Dustin was in the final lap I told him they had the race won and the record so he jogged it in. He ran 29 for his last lap."

American had other top finishes in the men's and women's 5000 meters. Sophomore Carlos Jamieson had a breakout race, finishing third-place in 14:26.11 - the third-fastest time in AU school history. Jamieson broke away from the field with the eventual top-two finishers through the mile in 4:35 and was in contact until the final half mile. His time was a personal best by more than 18 seconds. Conor Lanz, who was in the top-four for almost half of the race, finished seventh in 14:56.45.

"Carlos ran well, he ran very tough," Centrowitz said. "He hung in there, the worst place he was in was fourth and he moved up and was in it until the final few laps.

On the women's side, Meghan Mason scored for the first time in a track championship, placing sixth in 18:23.40. Her time was a personal best and the fourth-quickest in AU history.

The track teams return to competition tomorrow for the remainder of the individual events beginning at noon.